Today there was a small group of WAG members, for the route from Pullabrook to Manaton, using the Byway starting near Yarner Woods. Three of us on buggies accompanied by one walker, met at the Drakeford Bridge/Pullabrook car park. We had only traveled a few hundred yards into Pullabrook Woods where we stopped to talk to two men operating a portable sawmill.
At the point where we joined the Byway, we stopped to talk to a Woodland Trust staff member to explain what we were up to. She in turn explained some of the Woodland Trust objectives, for the area.
The Byway was very steep with a few drainage groins, which were difficult to traverse. The amount of bird song, flora and fauna made it a very pleasant journey.
Just over halfway of our proposed route, we had to climb out of the Becka Valley. This section of track defeated us, it was too steep and too rough. The loose stones caused traction problems, combined with steepness we decided to abandon our planned objective. The steepness of the hill, was causing the front wheel of my three wheeler to come off the ground. One of the buggies overheated, so had to stop a couple of times.
About half way up our walking member went on ahead, to look at the rest of the hill. It was then decided that we would turn round and retrace our steps. We made our way down to the Becka Brook, to have our lunch in the dappled shade by the brook.
After lunch we made our way back to Pullabrook Woods, diverting off to look at a paddock alongside the River Bovey. We sat in the shade alongside the river, having a coffee and discussing the route. It is a resounding No, as even the first hill down into the Becka Valley is difficult in places. Gill and I can now resume our old habits, stopping at the Twisted Oak for a meal on the way home.
Exeter Canal 10/6/21
A few photos from our lunch trip along the Exeter Canal to the Swans Nest.
